The No. 1 seed Iowa Hawkeyes are back in the National Championship Game after defeating the No. 3 seed UConn Huskies 71-69 in a Final Four classic Friday night.
Hawkeyes star Caitlin Clark finished with 21 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists, while Hannah Stuelke had a game-high 23 points. It was Clark's 10th career NCAA tournament game with 20 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists, the most ever in women's college basketball since 2000, according to ESPN Stats & Information. Huskies star Paige Bueckers had 17 points.
UConn cut Iowa's lead to one with 39 seconds remaining in regulation and had an opportunity to win it with 9.3 seconds after forcing a turnover. But, the Huskies were called for a offensive foul and the Hawkeyes secured the victory thereafter. UConn led by as much as 12 points midway through the second quarter -- it was the Huskies' second-largest blown lead in an NCAA tournament game since 2000.
Here's how the sports world reacted to Iowa reaching its second consecutive National Championship and the controversial foul call on UConn.
NAAAAAHHHHHH!!! I ain't rolling with that call.
— LeBron James (@KingJames) April 6, 2024
To call that on a game deciding play is so wrong WOW
— Kelsey Plum (@Kelseyplum10) April 6, 2024
Was an instant classic. Terrible way for the game to end though. Iowa /UConn
— 🏁 Jamal Crawford (@JCrossover) April 6, 2024
wait was that screen not set clean?
— Angel Reese (@Reese10Angel) April 6, 2024
Hats offf tooo whoever's handling WNCAA right now. These girls are play the most turnt basketball ever on my mama
— TRAVIS SCOTT (@trvisXX) April 6, 2024
I DONT CARE WHAT YOU DOING EVERY BODY GOTTA WATCH THE FINALS SUNDAY. MOOOVIIIEEEEEEE
— TRAVIS SCOTT (@trvisXX) April 6, 2024
What a game!! Normally we would all be talking about Caitlin Clark, but Iowa prevailed with a strong team effort led by Hannah Stuelke's 23 points. Congratulations to the entire team and coaching staff for advancing to their 2nd straight National Championship appearance!
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) April 6, 2024
I'm really looking forward to the Iowa vs South Carolina matchup for the National Championship! South Carolina is the best team in the country and they have the chance to prove it this Sunday!
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) April 6, 2024
Nah they rigging this!! You can not call that!!
— Micah Parsons (@MicahhParsons11) April 6, 2024
The ref that called that foul should not be able to work another final four for a min! That was horrible and didn't let the players determine the outcome! I'm sick for those players... a hot mess!
— Swin Cash (@SwinCash) April 6, 2024
https://t.co/OyOCr5bSh5 pic.twitter.com/ARtSljTpnJ
— George Kittle (@gkittle46) April 6, 2024